A look at the cricketers who went on to lead their nations.
Imran Khan looks all set to become Pakistan's new prime minister. He may be the only World Cup-winning captain to reach such political heights but he is not the only cricketer to lead a country. Let's take a look at the cricketers who at least played first-class cricket and then went on lead their nations.
1. Nawaz Sharif
)
Imran Khan isn't the first cricketer to rise to the top of political leadership in Pakistan. Interestingly, his political rival Nawaz Sharif was a competent club cricketer and played one first-class match. However, Sharif's debut ended in horror when he - in his only appearance in first-class cricket - made a duck. (AFP)
2. Sir Alec Douglas-Home
)
Sir Alec Douglas-Home was the only British prime minister to have played first-class cricket. He played for Middlesex and Oxford Univestity. He appeared in 10 first-class matches. He served as British PM from October 1963 to October 1964. He was president of MCC in 1966. (Wikipedia Commons)
3. Francis Bell
)
Sir Francis Bell was the first New Zealand-born prime minister who officially served as the PM from May 10 to 30, 1925. As a youth in the 1870s, he also played two first-class cricket matches for Wellington. Bell became acting prime minister after the death of prime minister William Massey. However, Bell declined the party's offer to become PM after the election and was replaced by Gordon Coates. (Wikipedia)
4. Kamisese Mara
)
Kamisese Mara is considered the founding father of the modern nation of Fiji. He was chief minister when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and served as PM for almost 21 years and as president for 7 years.
Mara played two first-class matches for Fiji against Otago and Canterbury in Fiji's 1953/54 tour of New Zealand. After scoring 44 runs against Canterbury he broke his arm, curtailing both his tour, in which he served as vice-captain, and first-class career.
